SALEM, OR — Unemployed Oregonians will soon be able to take advantage of federal grant money for specialized training in high-demand industries. According to Governor Kitzhaber, the $4.5-million from the US Department of Labor will provide training in fields where jobs are growing, but where businesses have struggled to recruit quality workers.
The two-year grant is part of nearly $155-million awarded to 32 states through the federal Job-Driven National Emergency Grant program.
The state will administer the funds, targeting high-demand industries in each region and expanding existing on-the-job training programs.
Industries include:
- Advanced manufacturing (fabricated metals, medical equipment, and transportation equipment)
- Natural resources industries (forestry and wood products, agriculture, fishing, food processing, and nursery products)
- Clean technology (biomass, green building and development, electric vehicles, sustainable transportation, energy efficiency, environmental technology, environmental science solar wave energy, and wind energy)
- High technology (bioscience, semiconductors, electronic components, software, educational technology, and services)
- Footwear, outdoor gear, and apparel
- Distribution and logistics, tourism, aviation, and creative industries
- Health care
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